This document outlines various communication strategies used in conversations: Nomination introduces a topic clearly and relevantly. Small talk is light, polite discussion of unimportant matters used at social events. Restriction constrains a response within set categories. Turn-taking allows speakers to take turns through verbal/non-verbal cues. Topic control moves discussion forward through questions and answers. Topic shifting introduces a new discussion. Repair attempts to fix breakdowns through repetition, rephrasing, or clarification requests. Termination verbally or non-verbally ends the communication process.

1. COMMUNICATION
STRATEGIES
CENON EDSEL G. GAYTOS

2. Communication Strategies
Conversations are bound by implicit rules.
These are plans, or means, of sharing
information which are adopted to achieve
a particular social, political, psychological,
or linguistic purpose.

3. Nomination
Presenting a particular topic clearly, truthfully, and
saying only what is relevant.
When introducing a topic to start a conversation,
we use Nomination. It is also a strategy that can be
applied any time during the course of the
conversation or interaction as a way of continuing
the communication.
Examples:
Have you noticed the weird weather lately? Is this
because of global warming?

4. Small Talk
 noun
1. It is a polite conversation about unimportant or
uncontroversial matters, especially as engaged in on social
occasions. (Oxford Language Dictionary)
2. Small talk is an informal type of discourse that does not
cover any functional topics of conversation or any
transactions that need to be addressed. (Wikipedia)
3. Small talk is light, informal conversation. It’s commonly used
when you’re talking to someone you don’t know very well
and at networking and social events. (Frost, 2019)

5. Starting a Small Talk

6. Restriction
This strategy constrains or restricts the Response of
the other person involved in the communication
situation. The listener is forced to respond only
within a set of categories that is made by the
speaker.
Examples:
They say that the Philippine economy is getting better.
Only the stupid thinks that, right? (Informal/ Casual)
We have 30 minutes to discuss about our project.

7. Turn-taking
 This strategy requires that each speaker speaks only when
it is his/ her turn during an interaction. Knowing when to
talk depends on watching out for the verbal and non-verbal
cues that signal the next speaker that the previous speaker
has finished or the topic under discussion has been
exhausted and a new topic may be introduced.
 At the same time, it also means that the others should be
given the opportunity to take turn. This strategy uses either
formal (permission to speak is requested) or informal
approach (just jump in and start taking).

8. Examples:
What do you think about their statement?
You wanted to say something?
Thank you for the opportunity to speak. I
agree with you. But may I just point out that
there are also risks involved when you just
go about killing people without due process,
may they be drug addicts or not.
May I have the floor, sir? The topic under
discussion is the state of the Philippine
economy today.

9. Topic-Control
This is simply a question-answer formula that
moves a discussion forward. This also allows the
listeners to take turns, contribute ideas, and
continue the discussion.
Topic control covers how procedural formality
or informality affects the development of a
topic in a conversation.

10. Examples
Yes.
Okay.
Go on.
You agree with the speaker, don’t you?
How often do you ride the PUJ (jeepney)? How
uncomfortable do you find it?
So, if you leave with your boyfriend, what are you
going to do next?

11. Topic Shifting
 Topic Shifting is a strategy that is useful in
introducing a new topic. This strategy works
best when there is a follow-through so that the
new topic continues to be discussed.
Examples:
I definitely agree with your points. Plus,
Beth should have come yesterday if she was
serious in helping us. By the way, what have
you done with your assignment in Gen. Math?

12. Repair
 This strategy is an attempt to correct or fix a
communication process that is on the verge or is
already broken. There are various means to go about
this:
 Repeating: repeating the words so the listener can hear them
again.
 Recasting: changing the form of the message (or rewording)
to make them more understandable.
 Adding: adding more words to a previous statement.
 Requesting clarification

13. Repeating I said “What is your name?”
Recasting USS Ford is COLOSSAL. USS Ford is really,
really big!
Adding USS Ford is colossal. I mean, it practically
carries over 90 aircrafts!
Requesting
clarification
Can you please clarify what you said?

14. Termination
 This is the strategy that ends a communication process.
This can be done verbally or non-verbally. Sometimes,
termination is quick and short. Sometimes, it is prolonged
by clarifications, further questions, or the continuation of
a topic already discussed, but the point of the language
used and the body movement is to end the
communication process.
 Examples:
I just have a few reminders before we go.
Packing one’s things while continuing discussions.

16. Assessment
1. Hey, how are you? I missed you!
2. I think we should speak one at a time.
3. I am sorry but I have to go now.
4. It is hard to decide on that now. Let us go back to
this topic next meeting. Meanwhile, shall we
proceed to the next agenda?
5. Do you have anything to say?